PU PREVIEW 58: BIRMINGHAM CITY

Birmingham City FC was founded as Small Heath Alliance in 1875 and turned professional in 1885. In 1888, they became the first football club to become a limited company with a board of directors, under the name of Small Heath F.C. Ltd. They joined the Football League Second Division in 1892 and were champions in their first season. Small Heath became Birmingham FC in 1905 and moved to the club's present ground, St Andrew's, a year later. Birmingham reached the FA Cup final in 1931, but lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion. They became Birmingham City FC in 1943. In 1956, the club recorded its highest League finish of sixth place and also reached the FA Cup final for the second time, losing to Manchester City. Birmingham became the first English club to play in European competition by participating in the inaugural Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1956, reaching the semi-final where they lost in a replay to Barcelona. They were also the first English club to reach a European final when they were runners-up to Barcelona in the 1960 Fairs Cup and to AS Roma the following year. Birmingham won the League Cup in 1963 by defeating local rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on aggregate. The club was briefly managed by England boss Sir Alf Ramsey in the 1970s. Trevor Francis was transferred from Birmingham to Nottingham Forest in 1979, becoming the first footballer to command a fee of £1million. By 1989, Birmingham were in the Third Division. After a period of financial difficulties, businessman David Sullivan bought the club in 1993 and installed Karren Brady as managing director. Birmingham won the Football League Trophy in 1995, beating Carlisle United with a golden goal. In 2001, the club played Liverpool in the League Cup final and lost on penalties. Hong Kong-based businessman Carson Yeung completed his takeover of the club in 2009. Birmingham won the League Cup for the second time in 2011, defeating Arsenal 2-1. The club currently plays in the Championship and finished in 17th place at the end of the 2018-19 season.

The club is currently managed by Pep Clotet (caretaker head coach, appointed June 2019) and are nicknamed the Blues.

Pompey and Birmingham have played each other on 96 occasions, the first meeting coming in February 1905 in the FA Cup, a game won by Pompey against the still-then Small Heath. The clubs have met ten times in the FA Cup, with each side winning four games and the other two drawn. In the League, Birmingham have won 38 times, Pompey 25 times and 23 games finished as draws. The last League meeting was in March 2012 when Pompey won 4-1 at Fratton Park in the Championship. The clubs had never met in the League Cup until they were drawn together this year.

(Information via Wikipedia and www.11v11.com)